Random elastomeric copolyesters

Abstract

This invention relates to random linear copolyesters containing units of terephthalic acid, butane diol, polytetramethylene glycol and dimer acid. The copolymers are elastic materials and can be made into films, fibers and molded products.

.[.I claim:.]..Iadd.What is claimed is: .Iaddend. 
     
       1. As compositions of matter, elastomeric, random, linear copolyesters having intrinsic viscosities ranging from about 0.6 to about 1.0 as determined in a 60/40 by volume mixed solvent system of phenol and tetrachloroethane at 30° C., and melting points ranging from about 180° C. to about 220° C., said copolyester comprising .[.the polymeric reaction product of.]. a mixture of .[.reactants.]. .Iadd.units in the polymer chain .Iaddend.consisting of .Iadd.the polymeric reaction product from .Iaddend. (a) terephthalic acid or a lower C 1  -C 4  dialkyl ester thereof,   (b) dimer acid,   (c) a poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol having a molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 2000 and   (d) 1,4-butane diol in which mixture the amount of terephthalic acid or lower C 1  -C 4  dialkyl ester thereof ranges from about 99.9 to about 85.0 mole percent and the amount of dimer acid ranges from about 0.1 to about 15.0 mole percent, said percentages being based on the total number of moles of said acid constituents or reactive equivalents thereof in said mixture and in which mixture the amount of poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol ranges from about 2.0 to 12.0 mole percent and the amount of 1,4-butane diol ranges from about 98.0 to about 88.0 mole percent, plus a molar excess of said 1,4-butane diol ranging from about 5.0 to about 120 percent, said mole percentages being based on the total number of moles of said glycols, less the molar excess of the 1,4-butane diol, in said mixture.     
     
     
       2. The copolyesters of claim 1 .[.comprising the polymeric reaction product of the mixture of reactants in which mixture.]. .Iadd.wherein the units in the polymer chain from .Iaddend.the terephthalic acid or lower C 1  -C 4  dialkyl ester thereof ranges from about 99.5 to about 86.8 mole percent and the dimer acid ranges from about 0.5 to 13.2 mole percent, said mole percentages being based on the total number of moles of said acid constituents or reactive equivalents thereof in said mixture. 
     
     
       3. The copolyesters of claim 1 comprised of the reaction product of .[.a mixture of.]. reactants consisting of dimethyl terephthalate, dimer acid, poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol having a molecular weight of about 1000 and 1,4-butane diol. 
     
     
       4. A copolyester according to claim 1 in the form of a film ranging in thickness from about 1.1 to about 1.5 mils, said film having a tensile strength of from about 10,700 to about .[.2,5000.]. .Iadd.2,500 .Iaddend.per square inch and an elongation at break ranging from about 360 to about 740 percent. 
     
     
       5. A copolyester according to claim 1 in the form of a molded product. 
     
     
       6. A copolyester according to claim 1 in the form of a filament. .Iadd. 7. A copolyester consisting essentially of (A) about 99.9 to 85% units from dimethyl terephthalate and (B) about 0.1 to 15% units of dimer acid, wherein (A) and (B) are based on mols of total acid-derived units, and (C) about 2 to 12% units from polytetramethylene glycol with a molecular weight of about 1,000 to 2,000 and (D) about 98 to 88% units from 1,4-butane diol, wherein (C) and (D) are based on mols of total glycol-derived units, said copolyester having an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.6 to 1.0 based upon a determination in a 60/40 phenol tetrachlorethane mixed solvent at 30.0° C. and a melting point of about 180° C. to 220° C. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. A copolyester consisting essentially of (A) about 99.9 to 85% units from dimethyl terephthalate and (B) about 0.1 to 15% units of dimer acid, wherein (A) and (B) are based on mols of total acid-derived units, and (C) about 2 to 12% units from polytetramethylene glycol with a molecular weight of about 1,000 to 2,000 and (D) about 98 to 88% units from 1,4-butane diol, wherein (C) and (D) are based on mols of total glycol-derived units, which is made by reacting said dimethyl terephthalate, said 1,4-butane diol and said polytetramethylene glycol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst until substantially all the methanol formed from said reaction is distilled off, thereafter reacting the resultant product with said dimer acid, and continuing the reaction to form a copolyester having an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.6 to 1.0 based upon a determination in a 60/40 phenol tetrachlorethane mixed solvent at 30.0° C., and a melting point of about 180° C. to 220° C. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 9. The copolyester of claim 8 wherein the polytetramethylene glycol has a molecular weight of about 1,000. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. The copolyester of claims 1, 3, 7, 8, or 9 having intrinsic viscosities of at least about 0.869. .Iaddend.